Chapter 1 – The Shattered Cave (Part I)
[Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.]
The shrill ringing of my alarm clock shattered the silence, yanking me out of what little sleep I had managed. After barely getting four hours of rest, this was the last thing I wanted to hear.
I slammed my hand down on the beeping clock, and the room fell silent again. For a moment, I let myself exist in that quiet—just the distant chirping of birds, the soft gushing of a stream somewhere beyond my window. It was the kind of peace that almost made you believe the world was kind.
I sat up slowly, my gaze drifting around the small, cluttered space I called home. Trash bags piled up in the corners, weeks overdue for disposal. The table was no better—spilled cups of cheap ramen from the shop a few blocks down were scattered across it, the only meal I could afford.
With a sigh, I got up and headed to the washroom. Agonizing over the past wouldn't change anything. If it could, I'd have done it already.
"If only my parents were alive… if only they never went on that damned business
trip."
But wishes weren't reality. Reality was my uncle walking away with everything my parents left behind—the same man who once acted like he cared. Turned out, all that affection had been nothing more than a calculated move to earn their trust.
I wasn't the best in school, but I had always managed to meet my parents' expectations. Until, of course, expectations stopped mattering. Even with part-time jobs at convenience stores, theaters, malls—working five hours a day wasn't enough to keep up with tuition fees. Eventually, I had to drop out.
Now, all I had was an old PC I used to play games on with my dad, a camera my mom gave me for my 14th birthday, a few sets of clothes, and a tiny apartment barely big enough to stretch out in.
Photography was the only thing keeping me afloat. Selling stock images online wasn't much, but it was something. Yesterday, I read about an upcoming meteor shower—one that only happened once every 56 years. A once-in-a-lifetime shot. If I could capture it perfectly, I might be able to sell the images for a decent price.
I packed my camera equipment, a water bottle, and a bag of essentials. I still needed a portable stove to cook food since I'd be camping out on the hill for at least four days.
Before leaving, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. A tall yet slim figure stared back, unremarkable in every way—except for the scar. A permanent reminder of the nightmare that forced me to drop out of school.
Locking the door behind me, I walked down the narrow staircase, its worn steps creaking beneath my feet. This four-story building on the outskirts of the city was the only place I could stay rent-free. The landlord had been my father's childhood friend—one of the few people who still looked out for me.
As I stepped onto the busy street, my mind wandered.
"What is fate? If everything is already written, do our actions even matter? If the gods decide our paths… then what sin did
I commit to deserve this?"
[Thud.]
My thoughts shattered as I walked straight into a light pole.
That's what I got for not watching where I was going. Ignoring the snickering kids nearby, I kept walking toward the convenience store.
There were two reasons I always came here. First, the prices were cheaper than the competitors'. Second—
"Kaelen! I was expecting you today. Tomorrow's the big day, isn't it? I can't even contain my excitement!"
There she was. That cheerful smile. Those sparkling green eyes, brimming with excitement. Blonde hair swaying with the breeze, like an angel had descended to Earth. A star beyond reach.
"Elena, you don't have to think about it that much. You'll probably get to see it again in the future."
"Awww, don't say it like that! Why are you always so gloomy? I know life's been unfair to you, but you have to move on. Clinging to the past won't help—you'll just end up making yourself miserable."
Move on? That was one of the many things I wasn't capable of. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't forget.They say you have to confront your fears,break past your comfort zone.That fortune favours the bold.
I wasn't one of them.
I didn't chase after my limits,not did I dream of achieving something greater.I didn't even have dreams to begin with.As I was drowning in my thoughts, a warm hand wrapped around my shoulder.
"Hey,hey,Elena!Who do you think you are talking to?"
I turned to see Mr. Iris–Elena's father.
"This man here is one of the bravest people I know! Now,what did you need,son ? You could have called us. The delivery guy needs to earn the money I'm paying him,after all!"
Despite his delicate sounding name,Mr Iris was built like a mountain.He was another one of the few people who still looked out for me. The reason he called me brave was because of something that happened years ago.
Our families had decided to go on an outing near Lake Orchid when we were in seventh grade. Elena and I had rented a small canoe and were playing on the water when she suddenly slipped and fell in.
She didn't know how to swim. Our parents were far away. Without a second thought, I jumped in after her, grabbing her hand while she struggled to breathe. Even with my frail body, I managed to lift her head above the water until our parents rushed over and pulled her to safety.
It wasn't bravery. It was instinct. But to Mr. Iris, it was enough to make me a hero in his eyes.
"I already sent Elena the list of things I needed," I told him. "Since I'm heading up the mountain, having the stuff delivered would just be another hassle to carry."
"Ahh, I see. The meteor thing, huh? Well, I wish you good luck! Stop by for a meal when you return."
"Surely, sir."
After paying for my things, I walked out of the store.
The world still had a few people who made it feel alive.
I followed the trail up the mountain, marking tags along the way so I wouldn't get lost. As I trekked upward, I spotted a squirrel quietly nibbling on some nuts, unaware that I was watching.
Carefully, I stepped forward, making sure I didn't make a sound. Slowly, I lifted my camera, adjusting the lens to capture the perfect shot—
[Slip.]
The moment my foot touched a loose rock, I lost my balance. Instinctively, I protected my camera, letting my bag take the full impact of my fall.
When I looked back up, the squirrel was gone.
Cursing my luck, I checked my bag. The portable stove had taken a hit—the fuel tank was dented. Just great.
Frustrated, I picked myself up and hurried to the mountaintop before sunset.
By the time I reached the peak and took some decent shots, it was already dark. I set up my damaged stove, ignited it, and left some water to boil for ramen. Then, I walked toward the apple tree—unofficially mine, since my mom and I had planted it when we used to visit.
That's when I heard it.
[BOOM.]
The stove exploded.
I rushed back, using the remaining water to douse the fire before it could spread. Panting, I kicked the broken stove in frustration.
"Why me? Why always me? Why does it have to be me?"
I turned back toward my food—only to stop.
There was a crack in the ground.
It hadn't been there before.
Slowly, I stepped closer and tapped it.
The next thing I knew, the ground beneath me collapsed.
I fell.
I landed hard on my back, pain shooting through me. Above, the moon glowed brightly, but the opening was too high—at least fifteen meters. There was no way I could climb back up without my gear.
I reached for my pocket and pulled out my flashlight, flicking it on. Darkness stretched before me, the walls lined with thick cobwebs.
I moved cautiously, each step echoing in the vast emptiness. The deeper I walked, the more I realized—this place wasn't just a cave.
It was something else.
Then I saw it.
A structure of stone, arranged like a doorway. Ancient. Unmoving. A presence of its own.
"What the hell is this…?"
Every instinct told me to turn back.
"A hidden structure inside a cave? This isn't normal. What if it's some kind of trap? A gate to hell like in those stories?"
But then, another thought crept in.
"Would anyone even care if I died? Whatever lies beyond this… could it really be worse than what I've already been through?"
For the first time in a long time, the voices in my head fell silent.
I stepped through the doorway.
A warm breeze brushed against my skin. Light flickered in the distance, growing brighter with every step. My walk turned into a run, drawn forward by something I couldn't explain.
And then—I stopped.
Before me stretched a breathtaking landscape. A world unlike anything I had ever seen.
But the moment of awe didn't last.
A sharp pain shot through my chest. My breath grew shallow, my heartbeat hammering so hard I could hear it in my ears. My vision blurred, and my body collapsed to the ground.
I turned back toward the cave's entrance—only to find it gone.
Where the opening had once been, there was nothing but solid rock.
My world spun. My consciousness wavered.
And as everything faded to black, the last thing I saw was a figure—a monk, standing before me, rosary in hand.
With a gentle smile, he spoke.
"It seems you've finally arrived safely… Kaelen."